The Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up a challenging four-game road trip with just one win, falling to the Atlanta Hawks in overtime on Friday. The team’s depth issues were glaring, as the Lakers’ bench was outscored 65-17.
LeBron James highlighted the difficulties of managing without key players, saying, “Mismatching with lineups, we’re trying to figure out ways, obviously. So it’s very challenging. We don’t have much room for error. … It’s big, big, big, big pieces.”
His remarks, as reported by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, underline the significant impact of missing personnel.
The Lakers were without several key contributors, including Austin Reaves, Jaxson Hayes, Christian Wood, and Jarred Vanderbilt.
Reaves, who returned to Los Angeles before Friday’s game to treat a pelvic bruise, has been a standout this season, averaging 16.7 points and 4.8 assists in 19 starts.
Lakers coach JJ Redick emphasized Reaves’ value, stating, “He’s like a connector for our offense, but he’s also a scorer and a playmaker.”
With their bench scoring ranking among the league’s bottom five, the Lakers face a tough road ahead.
Anthony Davis acknowledged the uphill battle: “There’s no cavalry. No one feels sorry for us. We can’t feel sorry for ourselves. Just got to continue to put our head down and grind and work. Try to get back in the win column on Sunday against Portland. … No game’s going to be easy for us, so we got to go take the win.”
As they prepare to face the Trail Blazers, the Lakers must adapt and find ways to overcome their roster challenges to stay competitive.
Pacific Notes: Lakers' Depth, Reaves, Vincent, Powell, Ellis https://t.co/FgA4UY0odl pic.twitter.com/iCnHaLPVEk
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) December 7, 2024
